| 2. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the connective kai {καὶ | kaí} linking this question to the prior report of calamity. The aorist participle apokritheis {ἀποκριθεὶς | a-po-kri-theìs} ‘having answered’ sets up the response before the main verb eipen {εἶπεν | eî-pen} ‘he said.’ Dokeite {δοκεῖτε | do-keî-te} introduces an indirect question with a hoti {ὅτι | hó-ti} clause marking its content. Within it, οἱ Galilaioi houtoi {οἱ Γαλιλαῖοι οὗτοι | hoi Ga-li-laî-oi hoû-toi} ‘these Galileans’ is described by the substantive hamartoloi {ἁμαρτωλοὶ | hà-mar-tō-loì} ‘sinners.’ The comparative para pantas tous Galilaious {παρὰ πάντας τοὺς Γαλιλαίους | pà-ra pán-tas toùs Ga-li-laî-ous} uses the accusative of comparison to mean “beyond all the Galileans.” Egenonto {ἐγένοντο | e-gé-non-to} ‘they became’ conveys being shown to be, and a second hoti introduces the causal clause linking sinfulness to the calamity in tauta peponthasin {ταῦτα πεπόνθασιν | taû-ta pe-pón-tha-sin} ‘they have suffered these things,’ with the perfect aspect highlighting completed suffering still in view during Jesus’ challenge. |